This position is located in the Information Services Section (ISS) of the Information Management Branch (IMB) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in Geneva.
OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
The incumbent reports to the Head of the ISS Product Support.
Within delegated authority, the Information Systems Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
- Participate in collaboration-related projects (e.g. implementing team sites, document sharing schemes)
- Participate in expanding and supporting the video communications systems.
- Supports senior staff in the creation and maintenance of MS365 Products primarily MS Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint Teamsites, PowerBI and Teams.
- Assists in providing timely and efficient ICT support to OCHA Geneva and worldwide.
- Receives and logs problem calls or service requests in the automated tracking system; Attempts to resolve as many problems calls or service requests on initial contact.
- Escalates problems to the appropriate parties; Detects problem patterns and recommends solutions; Performs quality assurance procedures to ensure client satisfaction.
- Performs tasks related to scheduled service requests, including equipment replacement, equipment installation/de-installation, software installation, returns to stock, site surveys, etc.
- Act upon all information security incidents and violations; participates in incidents
management activities; assist with the regular security assessments of ICT resources to identify potential weaknesses and provide related data for further analysis to supervisors and ICT security focal points.
- Keeps abreast of latest ICT standards and developments in hardware and software
technology; Provides basic training and advice to clients on the use of ICT standard systems and workflow processes; Prepares user and technical documentation.
- Recommends acquisition of hardware, software, devices and tools to facilitate work; Receives, unpacks, and inspects incoming assets;
- Monitors inventory levels and alerts supervisor when low thresholds are reached.
- May be required to work on shift assignments, after regular working hours and/or during weekends and holidays, to maintain the ICT service coverage and provide technical support to mission clients.
- Performs other duties as and when required.
- Professionalism: Good technical skills and knowledge of information technology and applications, including office production and computer network systems. Ability to understand the requirements of the users, and translate to a technical implementation. Ability to provide timely and efficient problem assessment, resolution and advise to mission clients on IT issues. Ability to provide technical support on various systems such as server/data, computer networks, ICT security. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
A High school diploma or equivalent is required. Applicants will need to have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT)/Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.
A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in computer support, help desk and client support, information systems analysis, database management, systems administration and maintenance, software applications, or related area is required.
Experience in Video communications technologies (VTC, WebEx and MS Teams) in the following areas is desirable.
Experience in Collaboration tools, especially Microsoft Office 365 is desirable.
Experience in ICT Service support functions is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency is French is also required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
This post is funded for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.